Bratsch was formed in 1975 by guitarist Dan Gharibian and violinist Bruno Girard. Gharibian, who was raised in an Armenian home, was inspired by the Armenian, Russian, Greek and Oriental music favored by his grandparents. Although he played with teen-aged rock bands, he became fascinated with the music of Django Reinhardt at the age of 14. Girard, who studied violin at the age of nine, refused to read music, preferring to play by memory. After receiving a degree in biology, he spent a decade working in science while playing music part-time. Although they initially mixed a global range of musical styles including Arabic and South African music, Bratsch soon shifted their focus to gypsy jazz. The group also features accordion player François Castiello and clarinet player Nano Peylet.
Bratsch have taken the music of the European Gypsies and turned it into something all their very own, bringing it to life with masterly skill in their atmospheric and compact concerts. Their music brings new vitality to both the traditions of Eastern Europe and the roots of "Tsigane Jazz", as made world famous by Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grapelli. With great emotion, poignant melodies and subtle arrangements, they create a unique acoustic music, which, for years, has been enthralling both the French audiences and the press in equal measure. Their first live album is a rare document, recording their very first German concert.
"These vagabonds carry the nostalgia of Eastern Europe in their bundles, the vibrancy of the Mediterranean, the dexterity of the Gypsies and the irony of the Jews. Music without frontiers." (Le Monde)
"A wondrous journey from West to East with a band of joyously abandoned nomads, who poke fun at all restraints. Whether the tunes they play are Gypsy, Russian, Armenian, or Yiddish, or their own original songs, they have the audience on its feet, shouting for more." (L’Express)
"The music of Bratsch is vital, lyrical, raw and romantic, but never sentimental and certainly never saccharine." (plärrer)
Fratelli
Bratsch Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
d'amore e di liberta
Bianchi neri rossi gialli siamo tutti insiemi
Per l'eternita
Vita vita vita
Balla balla per noi
Vola vola l'anima
Vola vola vola
(Merci à kaekael pour cettes paroles)
The song Fratelli by Bratsch begins with the line "Siamo tutti fratelli," which translates to "We are all brothers." The following line adds "d'amore e di liberta," meaning "of love and of freedom." The lyrics go on to declare that despite differences in skin color (bianchi for white, neri for black, rossi for red, and gialli for yellow), everyone is together for eternity. The repetition of "vita" and "balla" (life and dance, respectively) encourage listeners to live fully and to celebrate the unity of humanity. The song ends with a call for the soul (anima) to fly.
The lyrics of this song send a powerful message of unity, love, and freedom. "Siamo tutti fratelli" is a clear reminder that no matter our differences, we share a common humanity. By including references to skin color, the song acknowledges the reality of racial and ethnic diversity, but celebrates it rather than allowing it to divide people. The emphasis on living and dancing suggests a joyous approach to life and a desire for people to enjoy it together. The final line, with its reference to the soul flying, provides a spiritual dimension to the song that reinforces the idea of unity.
Line by Line Meaning
Siamo tutti fratelli
We are all brothers
d'amore e di liberta
In love and in freedom
Bianchi neri rossi gialli siamo tutti insiemi
White, black, red, yellow - we are all together
Per l'eternita
For eternity
Vita vita vita
Life, life, life
Balla balla per noi
Dance, dance for us
Vola vola l'anima
Fly, fly the soul
Vola vola vola
Fly, fly, fly
Contributed by Jasmine E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.